Sunday 26 December, Santo Stefano (with us 25 and 26 December are always holidays), on RAI 1, during the program DOMENICA IN, conducted in the studio by Mara Venier, Il Volo was a guest.
A pleasant hour, where Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca sang and talked, a really nice interview, which had already been previously recorded, to make sure that that day, everyone was with their own family.
Here is the video and its translation.
Click on the photo below to view the video.
MARA = I would start immediately with them, I thank them very much, they are indeed ambassadors of Italian culture and music in the world and thanks to Rai Italia, we are seen all over the world and I want to greet all the Italians living abroad and me I would start immediately with Il Volo.
(Applause. A video begins with the most important stages of Il Volo’s career)
But how wonderful this video is, how many very famous people they met.
Well we will be here, we will present the latest wonderful project of Il Volo, which is entirely dedicated to the great Ennio Morricone, but let’s start immediately like this: IL VOLO.
(Enter Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero, applause, kisses and hugs)
Guys, start right away with the first performance, then let’s talk about everything, everything.
GIAN = Come on, we are ready, here we are. (the song SE begins, from Cinema Paradiso)
MARA = Well done, well done.
PIERO = How beautiful.
IGNAZIO + GIAN = Thank you
MARA = I’m excited, maybe it’s Holy Christmas …. she turns to Gian: “Everything’s fine, dear”.
GIAN = Very well.
MARA = Very good, very good.
PIERO = This is too much. (He refers to the constant applause of the audience.)
MARA = No, it’s never too much. But have you seen the video we sent?
IGNAZIO = Absolutely yes, and it’s always exciting to see it.
PIERO = There were the images of the film Nuovo Cinema Paradiso.
MARA = These are taken from the film Nuovo Cinema Paradiso, which together with Il Ferroviere(another Italian film) are the films of my life (he means that they are his favorite films). I know the lines of the film by heart.
PIERO = It is also my favorite movie.
MARA = Mine too.
PIERO = I watched it during the lockdown, I dedicated a Sunday afternoon to this film, I don’t deny you that I cried.
MARA = When he looks at all the kissing film clippings …..?
PIERO = For me, the most exciting moment, as a Sicilian, when he says to him: “Don’t get nostalgic, never come back” …. there an emotion came to me ….
GIAN = It’s normal, it’s a bit like what we experienced, leaving what was ours ….
MARA = Sure, maybe because of this. Do you recognize yourself a little …
PIERO = So much ….
MARA = However it is a wonderful film, great Peppuccio Tornatore, great director, great friend, a kiss. (applause)
So guys, I saw in the first video, during your presentation, and I must tell you that I was quite excited, because the path you have made, who has it happened to?
Maybe in Modugno, I don’t know, I really think about the greats, the myths.
What happened to you in a few years is simply wonderful (applause)because you bring Italy to the world. And Italy is not just pizza, spaghetti and mandolin(stereotype of Italy), it is also something else and you are bringing something else, your talent, your voice, I wanted to tell you.
IGNAZIO = This has always been our goal, to make our culture known, however in this album, we give prestige to what was the maestro Ennio Morricone, and as you can see from the cover, we also remember Sergio Leone’s films (western director and friend of Morricone).
MARA = Beautiful.
GIAN = Remember the movie The Good, The Bad and the Ugly ….
MARA = Beautiful also the photo inside, though. Look at these three children.
PIERO = Can we have a marker to autograph this album to Mara?
MARA = Really? Immediately, live? Come on, yes!
IGNAZIO = I’ll go.
MARA = Look, by magic, there is also the marker, “Aunt Mara” and this too (she also gives the CD and asks that they be dedicated to aunt Mara, as Mara often calls herself by young people).
IGNAZIO = The dedications are made by Gianluca.
GIANLUCA = Since I have the most beautiful writing, I write.
PIERO = I write like doctors, doctors’ recipes (prescriptions) ….
MARA = … that it is not clear what you write.
IGNAZIO = While Gianluca is writing, let’s go back to the previous discussion ..
MARA = Among all these important characters, myths, true myths, is there anyone who has moved you more? Saw Barbra Streisand ….
PIERO = The editing you did is really beautiful, but each of us has his own indelible memory, personally, singing in front of Pope Francis in Panama, during the youth day, I think it was one of the most important and profound moments.
MARA = Of course, I believe it. Then he has a great charisma, I spent two afternoons with him, one afternoon for 4 hours always with him, and the incredible thing is that it’s like talking ….. (the photo of the boys with the Pope appears in the background) There they are !! …. because he is a simple man, it is like being really, with a grandfather.
IGNAZIO = I think that a figure like Pope Francis, we needed it, also to approach the youngest, I speak as a boy who does not practice, but, thanks to Pope Francis, I have re-evaluated the religious world.
MARA = Of course, when there are men like that, then he is a real revolutionary, guys.
GIAN = Maybe he’s looking at us, let’s say hello.
MARA = We greet Pope Francis: “Happy St. Stephen Holiness!” ….. but he only wants to be called Pope Francis.
So guys, I start where we started, because it’s beautiful, then do your whole wonderful journey.
(Begins a 2011 video of the LA VITA IN DIRETTA program , conducted by Mara Venier, with guests of the very young Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca. In the video Mara says that three of them are 48 years old and then asks who wanted the name Il Volo and Piero replies that it is a metaphorical name and that they decided it together.)
Have you understood? In the end I wished you to fly high, but you took me at my word !!!
GIAN = I still remember the first moments. It was one of our first interviews. I still remember the excitement of doing the interviews, we didn’t know what to say, sometimes we got tangled up, we didn’t really know how to behave with the cameras. It’s amazing how, over time, things can change, in 10 years our life has changed in an incredible way.
MARA = Incredible. Have you ever thought about all this guys? (she drops the felt-tip pen)
IGNAZIO = I’ll take care of it.
MARA = Come on, I can do it.
IGNAZIO = I wanted to be a gentleman.
MARA = What love !! I wanted to take this (the vinyl) and show it because it’s beautiful.
PIERO = Actually while we were singing she was afraid that it would be stolen.
MARA = In fact, look, I’m holding it tight. By the way, Monica Bellucci called me (Il Volo was a guest on the previous Sunday for a tribute to the actress Monica Bellucci in connection from Paris).
IGNAZIO = Did she like it?
MARA = She thanked me, it was a surprise, she wasn’t expecting it at all.
GIAN = It was good for us too.
MARA = Really?
GIAN = Sure
MARA = Did you have any feedback?
GIAN = Apart from that, during the interview, Monica Bellucci is Monica Bellucci(as if to say that Bellucci is famously beautiful) .… but Mara Venier ….
PIERO = But Mara Venier is Mara Venier (as if to say that Mara is beautiful too)
MARA = Oh yes, at my age …. guys but I invite you every Sunday ….
IGNAZIO = You have to thank that I am already busy, otherwise I would make you a ruthless court (what a seducer).
MARA = Where is your girlfriend?
IGNAZIO = She is far away.
MARA = Very far?
PIERO = No, she’s near here, around the corner.
GIAN = Exactly!
PIERO = In Brazil.
MARA = But you really had to find her in Brazil?
IGNAZIO = Love does not know distances, it does not know religions, races.
MARA = Is she Brazilian?
IGNAZIO = Yes. Traveling, you meet different cultures, and this has given us the opportunity to get to know the whole world and also arrive in Brazil, where I later met what my love is, however ….
MARA = But why Ignazio, didn’t you join her now for Christmas?
IGNAZIO = Work calls and we are very professional.
MARA = Like me.
IGNAZIO = Exactly. Unfortunately or fortunately, in life you have to work and there are priorities.
MARA = I am very happy.
IGNAZIO = And we are young ….
MARA = You have time, now, as soon as the broadcast is over, you can join it.
IGNAZIO = Yes, I’m going down (He means Brazil. Actually the program is recorded in this way Ignazio at Christmas reached his love in Brazil.)
MARA = So guys, let’s talk again ….. why are you looking at me like this Piero, you look at me and you make me laugh.
PIERO = I respect you, you are fantastic. See you go to the programs, that feeling with the presenter, it is fundamental, it is crucial to make sure that the best part of us comes out.
MARA = Sure.
PIERO = Because you know, behind the artist, behind the singer, many at home cannot perceive the personality, because there is always the fear of making a mistake, or how much to talk, with you it is unfiltered.
IGNAZIO = Also because you always talk, so we are fine.
MARA = That’s not true !! I always make you talk and above all I listen, what a bad Ignazio. (Ignazio laughs) I’m not sending you to your girlfriend, I make you stay here, even for New Year’s, I don’t let you leave. (applause and laughter)
Ennio Morricone, why? You are very young, boys and here are some pieces that will truly remain in history.
GIAN = Let’s say that we have had an artistic evolution over the years, it all started with O SOLE MIO, then slowly, even with Grande Amore, we tried to have our own repertoire, then in 2016 a Tribute to the Three Tenors with Plácido Domingo, and this time we decided to pay a tribute, however, on the soundtracks of the films, which are a little detached from what is the real tradition of Italian music, because in any case Morricone is a genre in itself, an international genre, which has made history …
MARA = Oscar winner!
GIAN = Exactly, and therefore he wrote a music that has made generations dream, and it is also a way to make him known to the youngest, who may not be able to connect the music with the composer at first glance. So for us it is really an honor, we also thank the family, the teacher Andrea Morricone ….
MARA = The son.
GIAN = …. who immediately supported the project, and also his wife Maria Travia, who also gave the possibility to have her son (Andrea) write a text on the first sung version of the Ecstasy of Gold by Il Buono, the bad, the ugly.
MARA = Beautiful !! Now I’ll show you June of this year, the Verona Arena, I remember that we made a connection, just to launch your concert, let’s see this clip together.
(A video starts with Your Love from the Verona concert. In the video, Andrea Morricone says: “It is really exciting to hear my father’s music playing in this splendid Arena, it is really fantastic.” Ignazio says:
“Maestro Morricone means a lot to us, he is a symbol of Italy in the world, on this stage with the great maestro Andrea Morricone, is an honor.”)
How wonderful! (applause)
PIERO = Mara, those images are really strong for us, because the first images we saw are taken from the concert on June 5th and it was the first concert, right after the lockdown ….
MARA = Sure.
PIERO = ….. with 50% of the capacity of the Verona Arena.
IGNAZIO = 6 thousand.
PIERO = Yes, 6 thousand people, so we got on stage after almost two years of pause and silence, so there we really understood that for an artist, for a singer, the audience is oxygen.
MARA = Sure, absolutely. How have you lived through these two years of pandemic and I keep saying that we must still be very careful. Yes, we must not give up.
IGNAZIO = Never.
MARA = You who are used to traveling the world, never stand still.
GIAN = We tried to live it definitely not in a passive way. It is not easy, because many families have certainly suffered, and there have been people who have not been able to manage, especially young people, adolescents, who perhaps miss the most delicate period of their life and therefore, in some way, be still, not having a place in society, being able to understand what to do in the future and instead stopping, was certainly difficult for young people. And we also try to be an example for the young people who follow us.
MARA = Absolutely.
GIAN = We certainly haven’t stopped, you need to have a spirit of adaptation, when life puts you to the test anyway.
MARA = Look Gianluca, when I invite my guests, especially artists, musicians, even important ones, I always asked them, during the pandemic, during the lockdown, what they did, and the majority always told me that they continued to write, and moreover, they have also had the concentration, in these months, even so difficult, also of pain, of insecurity, of fear, in the end, but many have told me that they have been creative.
GIAN = They gave vent to creativity.
MARA = Exactly, they gave vent to creativity, exactly.
PIERO = We, too, created this album during the pandemic.
MARA = The album was born right there.
PIERO = Yes, because for us, the worst enemy has always been time, we have never had the time to concentrate or dedicate ourselves to taking care of all aspects of a project.
For this album, we worked a year and a half, the initial part via ZOOM (internet) with video calls. Then we went to the recording studio, zoomed in with the linked producers from Stockholm. We wanted it at all costs.
GIAN = Then it is clear that we always try to see the positive side, because from 2009 to today, we have always been 7-8 months a year out (abroad), on tour or promotion of the record, in short, it is our life. But in these two years, the positive thing is that we have been more with our families, we have cultivated relationships, met love, maybe we have been more with our friends. So we rediscovered what was our “old life”.
MARA = Exactly.
GIAN = Because anyway it’s like jumping on two different tracks every now and then, Il Volo and then ….
MARA = And then I imagine that when you are away for months and months, abroad, traveling the world with the tour, in short, your family, but also your country, in the end you miss them.
IGNAZIO = We always say that these years have been the result of positive and negative things.
Personally I am a person who has a hard time falling asleep at night, because my head is constantly thinking, about everything there is to do, I store a lot of information. But I realized that sometimes stopping, even if difficult, stopping is good, also to understand what you want from life, what you are doing.
MARA = Reflect, a moment of calm.
PIERO = You live everything with frenzy.
MARA = Especially you.
PIERO = We never stop, only at Christmas. For us, Christmas, on the 24th evening, we have to go home, and it is as if time stopped.
MARA = And this is beautiful, can I tell you? Coming home on the 24th is beautiful.
IGNAZIO = then on the 26th we come to Rome! (Domenica In is recorded in Rome).
MARA = Let’s go on guys, now there is a beautiful piece always taken from Morricone, “Once Upon a Time in the West”.
PIERO = It is the song we sang in Sanremo, this year we were guests in Sanremo.
MARA = So now you will let the guests of “Zia Mara” hear it.
It is Christmas day 2020 and the magnificent voices of Il Volo rise in Piazza PIO XII, in front of the splendor of the Vatican and St. Peter’s Square.
Let’s enjoy this beautiful Christmas show.
What can I say . . . Epiphany is far away but three princes have arrived in Rome.
A riot of voices and elegance, Piero, Gianluca and Ignazio sang three great Christmas classics with ardor and skill.
Superb performance that warms our hearts so much in this difficult year.
Here are their words:
GIAN = Good evening, on this very special day, in which, even if we are close, we are forced to stay away, we wanted to find a way to wish you a Merry Christmas.
IGNA = We did it in the way that best represents us, with music, in this extraordinary square, where it seems to be surrounded by two welcoming arms.
PIERO = The hope is that Christmas with its magic can bring a smile to your homes and warm your hearts. For our part, we will dedicate to you, every note and every word, of this Holy night.
GIAN = Merry Christmas.
IGNA = Happy New Year
PIERO = Good Life, from Il Volo and RAI 1.
But now I want to reveal something about the background of this beautiful event.
The video, directed by RAI, was recorded in the late evening of December 19th.
The square has already been prepared since the evening of the 18th.
On the 19th at 8 pm, Piero Ignazio and Gianluca arrived. First they underwent the rehearsals and then the final recording which was broadcast by RAI 1, the Italian national channel.
It was really very cold and to do the recording we saw, the guys were in the cold from 8pm until midnight. The cold was bitter and you can tell from the photos of the rehearsal.
The event was attended too by a good photographer, Giorgio Algherini, who took magnificent photos documenting the event. His photos have been around the world, but it is worth thinking about seeing them again!
(Click on each photo below to view a larger version.)
And this short video of the rehearsal.
When I saw these photos, I immediately went to the Facebook page of the photographer Algherini and I immediately noticed his nice comment :
“Nothing to add, only esteem for these guys.”
At this point I wanted to know something more, I contacted him and asked him if he had already had the opportunity to personally know Il Volo, and here is what he replied:
“I was very impressed by the guys, very simple but very professional, I had already seen them at a Clerici program, fantastic, unfortunately I have never attended one of their concerts but I promise that I will go to the next one.”
So I complimented him on his photos and told him they would go around the world.
Perhaps he did not know the potential of Volofamily, in fact after a few days he published this thanks:
“A very special thank you as 2021 will be very special for all of you groups and private fans of IL VOLO that had shared my photos and the small clip around the world, even today a share has arrived from Japan that I thank even more, I knew that the three boys were famous, but not so in world-wide!
A hug, thanks again.”
Well, Giorgio Algherini, congratulations on your work and we look forward to seeing you at a concert and you will further realize the skill of Il Volo and the affection they enjoy from all over the world.
Naturally, the Italian newspapers also talked about the event and Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca, each from their Facebook pages, have posted this message:
On the evening of December 25th on Rai1official, we will sing in Piazza Pio XII, three wonderful Christmas classics.
An idea born because the Christmas we will experience this year will inevitably be different and we wanted to find a way to wish everyone happy holidays.
The splendid square that will be the setting for our exhibition will make the atmosphere even more suggestive and enchanted and we can’t wait to share it with you!
Here are a few more moments of the rehearsals registered by Giorgio Griego.
and then again …
It was a really good moment, too bad it’s already over. After a long time, we enjoyed hearing their beautiful voices, especially at such a meaningful moment.
But how long will we still have to wait before we can still rejoice together during their beautiful concerts?
Piero Ignazio and Gianluca wanted to greet us with a comforting message, here it is.
GIAN= Hello friends from Verona.
IGNA = We should have seen each other in 2020, but we are ready to bring you a lot more music in 2021.
PIERO= See you soon: Happy Holidays.
Thanks to Il Volo for this beautiful Christmas gift.
As I have already said, three princes have arrived in Rome and have given us the gold of their voices.
And thanks also for the nice final message you gave us, I’ll be there at the Arena and with me many Volo-friends !!
See you soon ❤❤❤
Daniela
“The day will come when in the inside pocket of a jacket, inside the inside pocket of a bag or in the glove compartment of the car we will find, forgotten, a crumpled old mask.
Looking at her we will rub it in our hands how to make sure that I really lived that long nightmare.
As we close our hands, crumple those distant memories, we will breathe deeply free to emphasize ourselves how beautiful life is.”❤️
Yes, Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca are our family! Why do I call them family? We’re their fans, yes, but, we are more than fans. We certainly do all the things that fans do but it goes deeper than that because our guys are different than other entertainers. The difference is the guys think of us as their extended family. Why? Very simply because they grew up with us. They spend more time with us than they do with their families. And they show us their love in everything they do. Think of how they treat us! When you meet them they embrace you. Most entertainers just want your praise and accolades. Not our guys! They want to know about us! They ask about our lives and our families. They listen to us and do things to please us. And think about how you spent your last nine months listening to their music and feeling secure with every song! So what is family? Family are the people who are there when you need them. When you’re sad you can always feel their love and their encouragement! Family is not just blood it’s the people who are there for us!
So let’s take a look at how our Italian family spends their Christmas.
The Christmas season starts in Italy on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary which is also a holiday in Italy. This is the day that many Italians put up their Christmas trees and the cities light up their streets with colored lights. Why? Because Mary is the mother of the Light, Jesus! But there are other traditions that are celebrated on this day!
Let’s go to Naro, Piero’s city, to see how they celebrate the Christmas season.
Every year, on the 7th, 8th and 9th of December, every inhabitant in Naro stocks up on muffuletti. Muffuletti is a bread which is stuffed with meat and vegetables. Some people go to their local baker to buy them and some people prepare them at home. The tradition is linked to religion. Naro’s sandwiches are blessed and distributed in Churches at the end of the Mass on the feast day of the Immaculate Conception. The bakers donate the muffuletti to the Churches as a gesture of generosity towards their fellow countrymen but, above all, of love towards “a bedda matri ‘Mmaculata”, the Most Holy Immaculate.
During the month of December, the Christmas markets are held in Naro. The Fair is set up inside the cloister of the Town Hall. Many people go to the Franciscan cloister where, every evening, to the delight of the children, there is a special snowfall that whitens the baroque courtyard. On the final evening there is a concert of Sicilian folk music and an award is given for the best photo taken at the large Christmas tree in Piazza Garibaldi.
During this magical period the streets are colored by many Christmas lights and everyone visits the living nativity scene of Borgo Castello. There is Mass on Christmas Eve and between hugs, kisses and best wishes there are a thousand good intentions. And then, on Christmas day, the family gathers together for a dinner laden with many local delicacies.
And what would Piero do on Christmas day? Most likely, he will walk around Naro and visit some older people and his friends. He certainly would have decorated his home so I’m sure he will make a video for all of us to see. He will most likely sing at the Christmas Eve or Christmas Day Mass. And I’m sure he will spend time singing with his grandfather, Pietro. Most importantly, he will spend the day with his family!
Christmas in Bologna! How does Ignazio celebrate Christmas?
Unlike Piero and Gianluca, Ignazio and his family live in a big city and like cities in America there are many events.
The Christmas tradition in Bologna has deep roots. The Bolognese Nativity Scene (Presepe) goes back to the middle ages. The tradition of the Presepe dates back to the 13th century and one of the oldest Presepe in the world is preserved in Bologna. What makes the Bolognese Nativity different? It is life size and includes clothes that are different from the traditional Neapolitan style. They are dressed in a medieval style. In Porretta Terme in the Emilian Apennines another Presepe which is one of the oldest Presepe in the world is kept in the church of Capugnano.
I’m sure Ignazio will visit the Christmas Tree in Piazza Nettuno. It is a Bolognese tradition. The beautiful tree is a welcoming and bright place to meet friends and feel the warmth of Christmas.
So, what will Ignazio’s family eat on Christmas? I’m sure on Christmas Eve there will be fish on the table. This is the tradition in every Italian house on “La Vigilia,” Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, there is another tradition. Lunch is the main meal and Pasta in brodo (pasta in broth) will certainly be served. In Bologna, it’s all about meat-filled tortellini in capon broth. These, small, ravioli, are filled with a mixture of meat, mortadella and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese but you will find in Bologna every family has its secret ingredient for them. You’ll recall in a recent interview, Ignazio mentioned his family buying Tortellini every Sunday.
The soup will most likely be followed by a roast and the meal will end with a traditional dessert like Certosino (or Pan speziale) which is made with almonds, pine nuts, dark chocolate and candied fruits. The recipe has its origin in the Middle Ages where Certosino was produced by pharmacists and later by Certosini Friars. Certosino is very popular in Bologna.
Having said this, I will say, since Ignazio is vegan, there are certain parts of this meal he won’t eat. He will certainly eat the dessert! What I do know is by tradition, Ignazio will join his family to celebrate Christmas Day!
So what will Gianluca do on Christmas?
A Montepagano tradition is the Nativity scene. At the end of the last century a famous living Nativity play was started in Montepagano which is a real theatrical performance, with a director and a narrator.
In the Abruzzi region, there is a tradition that bagpipers, so called zampognari come into the towns and play their flutes and bagpipes for the people. They symbolize the shepherds who come in search of the new born baby, Jesus. The bagpipers were once shepherds, today they are musicians who walk the streets of the cities, playing Christmas music. Often they are in pairs and one plays the zampognari (bagpipe) and the other the ciaramella (which is similar to a small piccolo).
For certain Gianluca will celebrate December 24th, Christmas Eve with a meal of fish including shellfish because he lives by the sea. As far as food traditions are concerned, on Christmas Day, the typical dish of the whole region of Abruzzo is spaghetti alla chitarra (which is prepared on a particular instrument called a guitar, because it is made of wood with metal strings) but most likely Gianluca will eat Lasagna. The second course will be arrosticini, which are pieces of meat, traditionally lamb, strung on long sticks, similar to a kebab. And for dessert, they will most likely have the traditional Christmas cake, Panettone.
Gianluca will surely spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with his family including his Grandpa Ernesto!
If you’re wondering where Santa Claus is, in Italy he is known as “Babbo Natale,” Father Christmas,who brings presents to children on Christmas Eve but, in true Italian style, gifts are exchanged on January 6th the day of Epiphany when La Befana comes to Italian homes in search of the Christ Child and leaves gifts for the children. This is a tradition that is celebrated in the central regions of Italy. La Befana is an old woman, with a hooked nose, badly dressed, with a handkerchief on her head, grumpy but good, she is not a witch. On January 6th, riding through the sky, flying on a broom, La Befana lands on the roofs, enters the houses from the chimneys and descends from the fireplace, leaving gifts and sweets in the big socks that the children place in front of the fireplace. If they were good, they get sweets. If they were bad, she leaves coal in the form of a sweet black candy. I’m sure there will be many sweets for Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca!
I would like to mention an important member of Il Volo’s family. Michele Torpedine! His family is originally from the region of Puglia. He moved to Bologna when he was twelve years old. So he will celebrate Christmas with his family and the celebration would be similar to Ignazio’s!
I would like to thank two people who contributed to this Christmas story. Maura PucciandGiovanni Granaro. Their knowledge of the regions of Montepagano and Naro and the different Christmas traditions made this story come to life!
In closing, I would like to thank two ladies who make all my stories come to life! Daniela Perani(a/k/a Sherlock Holmes) who is my second pair of eyes and provides all the photos and videos for my stories and Patricia Ward who does the layouts and final uploads for the stories.
I want to wish all of my Christian friends a Merry Christmas and all my Jewish friends a Happy Chanukah! And all my other friends, All the Happiness and Joy of the Season!
And finally I’m sure you will join me in wishing Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca and their families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with many Concerts!
It’s Christmas Day, it’s 11pm in Italy, on RAI 1, as promised, the special registered by IL VOLO in military camps in Lebanon begins, based on an idea by Michele Torpedine.
I try to translate for you by summarizing in degrees.
The video is interspersed with actions taken at the base, songs performed by the guys in the military canteen and songs performed on stage during the concert.
Between one connection and another there are also personal greetings from the military to their families at home.
The video speaks for itself, simply magnificent. The clickable link is below.
Begin with the speech of the defense minister Elisabetta Trenta.
“Hi guys (she turns to the military) , tonight, I had to be with you, but I can not, because I’m here in Afghanistan with your colleagues, here behind me, and they greet you with me.
I take this opportunity to give you many Christmas greetings, to wish your families best wishes, to bring you my greetings, greetings from the government and the whole country.
Thank you for what you do, thanks to your families who, perhaps, will look at us right now, thanks to everyone and, very soon.
Hi everyone!”
The guys are picked up at the airport as they leave for Lebanon. (in the background you can hear My Way)
and on their arrival received by the military.
On the bus to the base, Captain Gianluca Rosa explains that they are approaching the base near Shama, about 10 km from the Israeli border.
At the Millevoi base, they are welcomed with these nice words:
“I welcome you on behalf of everyone, it is an immense joy to have you here, when a piece of Italy comes here, makes us less distant from home, not just for me, but for everyone”
G = It will be an adventure that we will certainly tell, first of all to our families, but then also to our children and grandchildren.
To Gianluca, Piero and Ignazio are assigned a room like those of real soldiers.
The following morning they witness the raising of the flag and the singing of the Italian anthem. (very moving)
Welcome is given with applause to Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca de IL VOLO.
P = Beautiful
Military = For us it is the most significant moment of the day.
I = I have to say that behind me I heard people in tune.
P = Behind me, a little less !!
From the theater of Tiro, White Christmas.
The guys go to visit the souk, the typical Arab market.
The mission of the blue helmets is explained to the guys.
The blue helmets must be impartial towards the people, they must understand and deepen the knowledge of the people of those places in order to have their trust.
From the canteen of the military: Santa Claus is coming to town.
Ignazio = I was born in Bologna from a Sicilian family, I always lived Christmas as a return to Sicily to my grandparents and uncles, then, the true spirit of Christmas, I’ve been feeling it now in recent years, since we started traveling, is the only time of year, Christmas, more beautiful, because we can return home to families, I personally to my sister, that I, I hardly ever see.
Piero Ignazio and Gianluca then visit the archaeological site of Al Bas di Tiro, of Roman and Byzantine culture.
Gianluca = At Christmas I always sang in church, I sang the Ave Maria and Panis Angelicus. My grandfather very happy in the front row, even the parish priest of the village, because I live in Montepagano, a small town near the sea, in Roseto degli Abruzzi, so we all know each other and as a child they knew me as the singer of the country, we are a big family in my little country.
This is nice, because everyone loves me and I love everyone, as when I go out in the morning to have coffee at the bar, even Christmas is wonderful because everyone gathered in the square and we celebrate Christmas together as a big family.
From the theater of Tiro,Silent Night.
The boys are made to wear a blue helmet, symbol of military in peace action UN.
Piero and Gianluca enter a tank.
Ignazio explains the function of the automatic defensive turret.
I = It is a beautiful responsibility and a great tension every time you use a vehicle of this type, of course it is your job, but behind it there is a series of sacrifices and study.
From the canteen of the military:Christmas Medley.
Ignazio asks the commander what UNIFIL means.
The general of division Stefano Del Col explains that UNIFIL is very important because for 12 years it is the guarantor of peace in the area, controls and recalls those who border and guarantees that the borders are controlled.
It includes 43 nations, 10,500 peacekeepers and 1,000 civilians.
The blue bins delimit the dividing line and are spread over 120 km and guarantee a strip of peace.
Ignazio says that they are honored to have been part of the story in the few days they stayed in Lebanon.
Piero thanks the general for dedicating part of his time to them.
The general thanks IL VOLO for bringing a piece of Italy in this Middle Eastern context. Together they wish Merry Christmas.
From the theater of Tiro and from the canteen of the military: Grande Amore.
The guys visit the helicopter hangar and get on one of them. (in the background you can hear IL Mondo)
There are always two helicopters ready for any mission.
P = Today, as soon as you breathe Christmas air, you breathe the air of home, because fortunately for the work we do, we turn a lot, we are hardly ever at home, but Christmas is a must return, also because our families have separated, some cousins have left for abroad. Unfortunately in Sicily there are not so many job opportunities and some have been forced to leave home. So Christmas is a moment of recollection for everyone, I can only think of a “moment of joy”.
From the canteen of the military: Smile.
From the theater of Tiro: Adeste Fideles.
Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca, sing, in the canteen of the military, along with the children who were orphaned, and who now live in the military base.
I = Today we sang with the children, a Christmas song. Even more beautiful, it was hear them sing in Italian.
P = This morning, singing along with those “magic” children, was a set of indescribable chills.
G= Today we had the great privilege to sing along with some children who unfortunately were orphaned because of the war. That gave us an even stronger emotion and it was really moving.
From the theater of Tiro: O Holy Night.
A moment of leisure, a game of football in the military base.
And Jingle Bells played with Arabian atmosphere.
From the canteen of the military : ’O Surdato Nnammurato.
From the theater of Tiro: Volare (Nel Blu dipinto di blu).
P = For us it was a very special Christmas, we hope to have given you a smile.
I = Special because … starting from playing soccer with the children, doing crazy experiences inside a tank, by helicopter, letting us explain the life of these soldiers. Everything was exciting.
G = Also because these experiences make you a better person, enrich the soul, and we can say that, despite our different characters, this experience has united us three even more.
I = Being here, has made us more proud of being Italian.
P = Now is the time of the good wishes, from Il Volo …
PIG = Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Torpedine = The next event will be in Panama, at the end of January, on the World Youth Day, the meeting with the Pope. We hope to travel with him and sing the Ave Maria during the Pope’s Mass.
Here are the guys with the RAI troupe who followed them in Lebanon.
Still some beautiful shots.
This program has thrilled me so much, I was very proud of my “Italian being”.
These guys are really UNIQUE, immense treasures, sensitive, educated, humble and good.
The idea of the program was Torpedine’s and I must say, honor of merit, he always has some brilliant ideas.
The topics were treated in a delicate way and the songs were followed with such sweetness and involvement.
The latest news given by Torpedine, the presence of the boys at World Youth Day, where they will sing before the Pope was another twist, another step that makes me even more proud of them.
2019 will be a very intense year indeed.
But no fear will come on tour in America, wait and see!
Of course, despite VOCI DI NATALE was broadcast on RAI 1 at 11.00 pm, you must know that it has made the record of ratings !!!! News that makes us even happier.
Daniela
We thank Il Volo Sicilia for the photos and Il Volo Mundial (Oficial) for the Facebook video.
My wish is that you can spend a beautiful and serene day, surrounded by the affection of your loved ones, reviewing in your thoughts of those no longer with us ….. cheering the whole, with beautiful songs of our sweet PIERO, IGNAZIO and GIANLUCA .
GREETINGS TO EVERYONE FROM THE DEEP OF THE HEART
Daniela
These days many pages have published many fan art or collage, concerning Christmas and our guys, I enjoyed gathering them all, they are many and all beautiful, have fun watching them.
Jeannette also found some very funny videos, which made me laugh a lot, thanks Jeannette.
Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!
